229: Chapter 229 The Current Dynasty

Kyoto, Imperial Palace Main Hall.

The white-haired Emperor of Dongyu, Ye Qingcang, took off his reading glasses and smiled, waving the secret memorial in his hand towards the high-ranking officials below the steps.

"White Clothing Society, White Clothes Association."

"My lords, you have all heard of the matters in this memorial, haven't you? What are your thoughts?"

However, before anyone could answer, he continued.

"You may find it inconvenient to speak, but I cannot remain silent."

"It has been nearly twenty years."

"Over these twenty years, I have governed diligently, rarely getting a good night's sleep."

"Yet there are always some foolish, lowly people, or even those harboring malicious intent, who question me and pine for that sinner, Ye Baiqiao!"

"This Tang Long in the memorial, though merely a petty, wild scholar, his words have rallied everyone to his side. This shows just how deep the lingering poison of Ye Baiqiao runs!"

"Is there anyone behind this, plotting in the shadows?"

"I believe there is, and it may be someone of significant stature!"

"Duke of Huaicheng, Ye Baiyan! My imperial uncle, you are in charge of the General Intelligence Bureau; you should have been keeping an eye on Song City all along, right? My second cousin is also studying in Song City. Tell me, who is stirring up trouble behind the scenes?"

Ye Baiyan felt like he was sitting on needles. He lowered his body further and further, stammering.

"Your Majesty, please forgive me. This old official... this old official... was negligent."

"Negligent? I think not!" The Minister of the Military and Right Chancellor Zhao Jixian stepped forward.

"Two days ago, I heard that Young Master Ye Qingzhou cracked a major espionage case in Song City, which seemed to involve the Yuanwu Kingdom and the Wei Family of Song City."

"But for some reason, this case suddenly vanished, and not even a clear conclusion was submitted."

"I heard that the Duke of Huaicheng had spoken with the head of the Wei Family during that time. I wonder if that is true?"

"Of course not!" Ye Baiyan turned his head and glared, "Right Chancellor, you must have evidence when you speak!"

"With the Duke of Huaicheng's cunning, how could anyone easily obtain evidence? However, to give up such a great merit, could it be that you have some handle held against you by them?"

"Your Majesty! Xu Chaoyang has the heart of a wolf, and the Wei Family is even more complicit! I request an imperial decree to thoroughly investigate the Wei Family! Perhaps we might find something along the way!"

Ye Baiyan was even more furious, "Qi Zongguang has a source of military funds that cannot be accounted for! I think you should check your own subordinates first!"

At this moment, Left Chancellor Xu Zuopeng stepped out to advise, "You two, we are currently discussing the White Clothing Society. Is it appropriate for you to argue about other matters in the presence of the Emperor?"

Both of them couldn't help but snort and retreated to their respective positions.

Xu Zuopeng turned to the Emperor and said: "Your Majesty, the expansion of the White Clothing Society cannot be tolerated. I suggest sending officials to Song City immediately to apprehend those involved and prevent trouble before it happens."

However, Grand Tutor Grand Preceptor Qian Wenzhao smiled and said: "Is the Left Chancellor making a mountain out of a molehill? He is just a young boy; why resort to such drastic measures? Besides, the country has its own laws. What crime do you intend to pin on him?"

"Making a mountain out of a molehill?" Xu Zuopeng looked at him with a strange expression. "Was the Miao Yulin case a mountain out of a molehill? Since His Majesty feels there is a conspiracy behind this, is sharing the burden for His Majesty a mountain out of a molehill? It is you, Grand Tutor, who usually never gets involved in court politics, yet today you suddenly spout such fallacies. It is truly shocking."

Grand Preceptor Qian Wenzhao laughed and turned to Ye Qingcang, "Your Majesty! This old official usually does not like to speak much, but regarding the matter of Tang Long, I do know some inside information and would like to report it to Your Majesty privately."

Ye Qingcang's eyes were cold, but after a few seconds of silence, he nodded slightly and waved his hand.

The several high-ranking officials had no choice but to bow and withdraw.

"Old Official Qian, you may speak now."

"Your Majesty, are you clear about the identity of this Tang Long?"

"Isn't he just an ordinary student who got lucky?"

Grand Preceptor Qian Wenzhao smiled and shook his head, "Your Majesty, we all know about the trial that day. How could an ordinary person possibly endure it?"

"Previously, the President of the White Clothes Society was held by the Duke of Huaicheng's second son, Ye Qingzhou. If he were just an ordinary person, would the second son have been willing to yield his position?"

"This Tang Long is actually the Holy Messenger of the Sixth Holy System. No one has made this point clear to Your Majesty."

Ye Qingcang was indeed somewhat surprised, "So that's it. Does Official Qian mean that he was able to pass the trial by relying on the treasure of the Holy Messenger? But since he is a Holy Messenger, why get involved in the affairs of the White Clothing Society?"

"That is the key."

Grand Preceptor Qian Wenzhao stepped forward again, "Your Majesty, Tang Long has already entrusted Ye Qingzhou to plead his case to the Crown Prince."

"First, he enjoys great prestige in The Sect and does not do this for fame or fortune, nor is he instructed by anyone."

"Second, he says that the millions of soldiers in the country have never followed any single person, but rather a leader who can truly serve the country with a public heart."

"Third, he says that the current predicament and division of Dongyu lie in the failure to unite everyone's patriotic enthusiasm."

"The White Clothing Society, and even the White Clothes Association that may be expanded in the future, or even renamed the White Clothes Party, is actually meant to do this. This is a good thing for the country."

"After much consideration, this old official feels that this is indeed the case."

Ye Qingcang's expression was quite shocked; he was lost in thought for a moment and felt he couldn't find any faults.

But after a while, his face turned cold again.

"Then how can we ensure that this society or party will be loyal to the imperial family?"

Grand Preceptor Qian Wenzhao immediately struck while the iron was hot, "Your Majesty, what if the true leader of the White Clothing Society were the Crown Prince, or even Your Majesty?"

"With a virtuous and wise monarch like you at the helm, and countless loyal and righteous people, united as one, wouldn't Dongyu get better?"

"Your Majesty! Who in this world is truly loyal to you?"

"Your Majesty is so wise and works so hard day and night, yet national affairs remain in such difficulty. Where exactly does the reason lie?"

"Those like the Pope and the Grand Secretary, who are powerful figures of the Huagai Realm, all act on their own and disregard imperial power!"

"The Wei Family's sixth son, Wei Jian, is truly a spy for the Yuanwu Kingdom. He was first captured by Tang Long, and only later given to Young Master Ye."

"Xu Chaoyang married a Sun Worshiper. Even if he didn't know it before, he certainly knows it now, yet he has not divorced Wei Mingzhu. What is the reason for this?"

"These people are less like Your Majesty's ministers and more like the cancer of the country."

"The country's financial resources are so thin, yet are they poor? How did this money get into their hands?"

"If I may say something unpleasant, if there were another Sangyu Rebellion, these people would still keep their high positions and wealth as long as they knelt to others. But what about you, Your Majesty?"

"Those who are truly loyal to you can only be the Crown Prince, this old official, and the millions of ordinary people under your protection!"

"You rely heavily on noble families but ignore them, leaving them to be oppressed and exploited by those parasites. This is your mistake!"

"Now there is an opportunity to set things right. By using the White Clothing Society and the White Clothes Association to benefit the common people, as long as Your Majesty can gather them around you, the country will have great prospects!"

Ye Qingcang listened, lost in thought again.

"Official Qian, is this reasoning your idea, or the Crown Prince's thought?"

"It is Tang Long's suggestion. The Crown Prince consulted me, and after careful consideration, I felt it made deep sense."

"It makes sense, but how can it be realized? If the benefits reach the common people, it will touch the interests of the big families. Will they agree? How can we confirm that this Tang Long is not a treacherous person who says one thing and does another?"

"Your Majesty! Tang Long himself said that when the cart reaches the mountain, there will be a road. To reshape the mountains and rivers, one must bear the weight of being shattered to pieces."

"He has already begun to publicly teach the Wuque Method. He can bear all the things that offend people himself."

"Your Majesty, if he were not a person with a public heart for the country, would he be willing to go this far?"

"Your Majesty, it is not that no one has thought of this before, but it simply could not be done. However, Tang Long now has the identity of a Holy Messenger, which can instead break some taboos."

Ye Qingcang sighed, "Speaking of the matter itself, I indeed should not doubt him."

"But even with the identity of a Holy Messenger, I am afraid he won't last too long. Just speaking of the Pope's hurdle, it will be very difficult for him to pass."

"When the time comes, it will end in a whimper and only invite ridicule."

Grand Preceptor Qian Wenzhao also sighed, "Yes, this old official has also considered this."

"As far as this old official knows, it should also have been this morning that the news of Tang Long reached the Pope. And at the same time, a memorial reached Your Majesty's hands. This is someone already reaching out with a black hand toward Tang Long!"

"Your Majesty, these people are the true enemies of the country."

"Does Official Qian have a countermeasure?"

"Your Majesty! Even if Tang Long ultimately fails, you cannot let certain people easily get their way. Even if we can take down two families in the process, we can enrich the national treasury."

"Tang Long said..."

Grand Preceptor Qian Wenzhao stepped closer again, almost to Ye Qingcang's ear.

"Tang Long said... he already has the certainty to take down the Wei Family, and perhaps even take down Xu Chaoyang."

At this, Ye Qingcang's eyes lit up immediately.

"Truly?"

"Naturally, it is true. The Wei Family's fourth daughter, Wei Mingzhu, is actually a Sun Worshiper and has already been caught by the Songcheng Sect. The third son, 2nd Division Commander Wei Jun's position as head of the Academic Affairs Department has already been dismissed, and the sixth son, Wei Jian, is a spy for the Yuanwu Kingdom, with conclusive evidence. These are all things Tang Long has planned recently."

"Good! Good, good!"

"Tang Long is indeed a loyal minister. Official Qian, you tell me, how should the imperial court reward him?"

"Your Majesty, Tang Long said there is no rush for rewards. What he requests is only for Your Majesty to have a clear understanding, and... for the upcoming exchange tournament when the Sangyu delegation arrives in Song City, he would like to invite the Crown Prince to attend and observe."

"The Crown Prince to observe? Can't I go take a look?"

Grand Preceptor Qian Wenzhao was both surprised and delighted, "This... this would naturally be even better."

"But the Emperor's tour is of great importance and must be handled with extreme caution. This old official feels it is better not to rush into a decision."

"The most urgent matter is to give Tang Long some support so that he does not succumb to the pressure."

"For example, on the Pope's side, this old official would like to request an imperial decree, at the very least to urge the Pope not to take action immediately."

Ye Qingcang nodded deeply, then took off the gold medallion from his waist.

"Official Qian, take my gold medallion and go. Just say it is my intent."

"This official obeys the decree!"

Grand Preceptor Qian Wenzhao took the gold medallion and immediately retreated in high spirits.

But as soon as he left, Ye Qingcang's face darkened.

He waved his hand gently, and a masked figure immediately appeared at his side.

"Shadow, go to Huaicheng and take a look."

"First, investigate the Duke of Huaicheng and the Wei Family to see what handle they actually have on him. Also, check Ye Qingzhou—why would he even sell out his own father?"

"Second, investigate Xu Chaoyang. If he has already shown signs of disloyalty, kill his son."

"Third, the appearance of this Tang Long is too suspicious. Investigate whether there is anyone behind him, especially his relationship with Ye Baiming."

Shadow bowed slightly, "If an Apostle appears, should I intervene?"

Ye Qingcang sneered, "If the opportunity is good, kill the Apostle who goes."

"As for Tang Long, I have a premonition that he will be very similar to Ye Baiqiao back in the day, and he shouldn't be that easy to die."

"If he can survive, let him continue to stir things up. If he cannot survive, then so be it. You do not need to make contact."